Web-Based Temperature and Humidity Monitoring

[Vanthios]

Outside of BPs, I'm a computer fanatic. If there's anything that can be improved by technology, I want to make it. That being said, I really like the Spyder Robotics HerpStat line, but from what I've seen it doesn't offer developer APIs or really any way to pull the readings from it so that you may do whatever you want with it.

So I was looking around at some components and crunching some numbers and thought I'd give this a shot:

I was thinking of a web-based monitoring interface that pulls temperature and humidity straight from your terrariums using an inexpensive computer (which does both the readings and the website hosting). All of the code for the HTML site will be open source; all of the schematics for the wiring will be open source; all of the steps you'll need to take to get this up and running will be well documented and of course, open source. Everything about the project will be free to use. I post it, you do what you want with it. The site will be mobile-enabled and runs in realtime so no matter where you are, you can access temperature and humidity data.

But before I start spending money, making prototypes, and drilling holes in my 421D for the sensors, I'd like to know how many of you in the community are interested in this project.

[dr del]

My main thought is what the point would be.

If you are not there you can't fix it. The text alert feature in an emergency I can get behind as it tells you to get there quickly.

Data collection to a log file I can also see being a good resource for the curious.

It's just the web based section I can't quite see the point of.

[geeforce]

I'm actually in the middle of an extremely similar project for my own use! You're more ambitious than me in documentation / making it publicly available though, as mine is currently pretty hacky in many places. I think this would be an awesome project for the community; I'm sure that others will have similar aspirations but won't know where to start.

Feel free to PM me if you'd like to compare notes or collaborate! So far I have temps/humidity pushing to the web successfully and have some other bells and whistles in the works. I haven't really started working on a stylized webpage yet, it's just text that says "Temperature sensor 1: 80' F".

My main thought is what the point would be.

If you are not there you can't fix it. The text alert feature in an emergency I can get behind as it tells you to get there quickly.

Data collection to a log file I can also see being a good resource for the curious.

It's just the web based section I can't quite see the point of.

The reason I got into a version of this was pretty much the "because it's there" mentality. Like OP, I enjoy tinkering with this sort of thing, and happened to be itching for a new project around the same time that I got my new snake. Some people make things like a mini arcade cabinet, I prefer a project that ties into something that I actually use/care about day-to-day.

Plus, once you have the framework in place, it isn't a huge jump to move to web-based actions - some of my long-term goals are things like a slider to act as a remote CHE/heat lamp dimmer switch, to act as its own thermostat for the UTH (again, that you could adjust through the web), or maybe even have a button to puff a mister or humidifier if you notice humidity is getting low.

[OhhWatALoser]

My main thought is what the point would be.

If you are not there you can't fix it. The text alert feature in an emergency I can get behind as it tells you to get there quickly.

Data collection to a log file I can also see being a good resource for the curious.

It's just the web based section I can't quite see the point of.

text alert or even a phone notification would be web-based features

Web based doesn't really matter to me, I mean if temps get out of control it should be programmed to handle it. If humidity is low you can program it to mist on its own. Sure it is nice to monitor it but not a necessity imo. Only thing I can think of is say something that is out of the controllers control, like a snowball goes through my window and shatters it, now I have winter temps blowing in... it would be nice to get a text/notification saying crap is getting crazy come home or call someone else to check it out.

What I want is a central thermostat controller that will let me do as many I/O as I want, perhaps with boards that can continually be added. I hate having wires draping all over the place behind my cages/racks and every time I have to move or I want to rearrange it becomes a mess. I want to just plug a probe into the wall and plug the heat into the wall next to it. then go to a controller and set the temps. Might be a future raspberry pi project for me. I realize the all in one package is for most people, but I want something more manageable.

[Eric Alan]

What I want is a central thermostat controller that will let me do as many I/O as I want, perhaps with boards that can continually be added. I hate having wires draping all over the place behind my cages/racks and every time I have to move or I want to rearrange it becomes a mess. I want to just plug a probe into the wall and plug the heat into the wall next to it. then go to a controller and set the temps. Might be a future raspberry pi project for me. I realize the all in one package is for most people, but I want something more manageable.

Now that would be something!